Domestic violence lawyers help people seek protection orders, and act for people responding to applications.
firms
631
regions
16
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Each state has its own protection order scheme, called AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland and restraining orders in WA. Police can apply on your behalf, or you can apply yourself. A lawyer can explain the conditions, represent you at court and connect the order with any family law proceedings.
Why domestic violence & avos matters
Protection orders can stop threats, contact and harassment quickly. For respondents, an order can affect housing, parenting time, firearms licences and some jobs.
The Australian context
Each state has its own scheme: AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland, restraining orders in WA and SA. Orders are made in state local or magistrates courts and are nationally recognised under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newport, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cooke & Hutchinson Lawyers provides legal services in Newport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Havilah Legal provides legal services in East Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Employment Law and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreEmployment Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Sports & Entertainment Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Canberra City, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mazengarb Family Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra City, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Powers of Attorney & GuardianshipFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sandgate, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northside Family Law Centre provides legal services in Sandgate, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ritchie Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nambour, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Baldwins Lawyers provides legal services in Nambour, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Benchmark Law Services provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+5 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Child Protection & Care Matters · Youth Justice & Children's CourtFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cairns Divorce Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Binding Financial Agreements.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CLEON Legal (Family Lawyers and Domestic Violence Lawyers) provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coolabah Law Chambers provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Wills & Estates+8 moreFamily Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Notary Public & JP Services · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · General Practice (regional generalist)2 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Lakes, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Journey Family Lawyers provides legal services in North Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Family Property Settlement.
Family Law+4 moreDivorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
North Queensland Women's Legal Service provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Criminal Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Criminal Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Petrie, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cudmore Legal Family Lawyers Brisbane Co provides legal services in Petrie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The People's Solicitors provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Defamation.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Defamation · Administrative & Government Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Personal Injury
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wollongong Conveyancing Services provides conveyancing services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Elder Law & Aged Care.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Elder Law & Aged Care · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Turramurra, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Alexander DW & Co provides legal services in Turramurra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Building & Construction and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Drink & Drug Driving+3 moreBuilding & Construction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Planning & Environment2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: german
Understand the next step
A practical guide to domestic violence & avos
What to discuss at the first meeting
Tell the lawyer whether you need protection, have been served with an application or already have an order. Use a safe method of contact and make the next hearing date clear at the outset.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. A directory enquiry is not an emergency service or confirmation that representation has been arranged.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
02
Discuss negotiation and family dispute resolution. Parenting applications generally involve prior dispute resolution unless an exception applies; ask the lawyer to assess the appropriate process.
03
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Fees and the scope of work
Ask for separate estimates for advice, negotiation, document preparation and court work. A fixed divorce-application fee does not necessarily cover parenting or financial disputes.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight court dates, proposed travel or relocation and any planned property sale. Ask which time limits apply to your particular issues rather than assuming there is one deadline for everything.
Questions to ask a domestic violence & avos adviser
How can you contact me safely?
What does the current order require while advice is being arranged?
Will you handle parenting, property and divorce together or separately?
How will you communicate with me safely?
What would change the proposed approach or budget?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is an AVO a criminal conviction?
No. A protection order is a civil order. Breaching it, however, is a criminal offence.
What if I'm in immediate danger?
Call 000. Police can make or seek urgent orders. For support, 1800RESPECT is available 24 hours.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?
Not always. A simple divorce application can be filed online without one. It's worth getting advice before you apply if you have children, shared property or superannuation, because divorce starts the clock on time limits for property claims.
How long do I have to settle property after separating?
Married couples generally have 12 months from the date the divorce becomes final. De facto couples generally have two years from separation. After that you need the court's permission, which is not guaranteed.
